sisterhood

[ sis-ter-hood ]

noun

1. the state of being a sister.
2. a group of sisters, especially of nuns or of female members of a church.
3. an organization of women with a common interest, as for social, charitable, business, or political purposes.
4. congenial relationship or companionship among women; mutual female esteem, concern, support, etc.
5. Usually the sisterhood. the community or network of women who participate in or support feminism.

sisterhood

/ ˈsɪstəˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being related as a sister or sisters
2. a religious body or society of sisters, esp a community, order, or congregation of nuns
3. the bond between women who support the Women's Movement

Word History and Origins

Origin of sisterhood¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, sisterhood is from the Middle English word sosterhode. See sister, -hood

Example Sentences

I like how Alice Walker created with this book — and it continues in the musical version — a beautiful story of sisterhood and the power women have to change their lives and world around them when they come together in support and love.

From Washington Blade

A lighter approach to the mixed messages women receive about rivalry and sisterhood can make for wickedly effective comedy.

From Time

This is really a novel of sisterhood, of women finding clever routes to claiming their power, given all the roadblocks men have historically thrown up before them.

From Time

The friendship between Janis and Ana is at times frayed but ultimately forges itself into something stronger than sisterhood, and Smit and Cruz carry us deftly through its evolution.

From Time

While they wait for justice, the support of the sisterhood has fortified some of the first accusers.

From Time

They are now in essence a sisterhood joined together by a vile incident.

From The Daily Beast

And the negative reaction to it was surprising because it really seemed to prove your point about the lack of “sisterhood.”

From The Daily Beast

The Deadly Sisterhood By Leonie Frieda A historical examination of the unique power held by eight women of 15th-century Italy.

From The Daily Beast

Is there some secret sisterhood of Royal dress sharing we mere mortals are kept in the dark about?

From The Daily Beast

Over dinner in Beverly Hills recently, the sisterhood was palpable.

From The Daily Beast

Frulein Timm belongs to the single sisterhood, but is one of the fresh and placid kind, and as neat as wax.

From Project Gutenberg

A spirit of sisterhood among women would have sadly upset the social scheme, as it has been hitherto conceived.

From Project Gutenberg

I look with veneration upon those of our sisterhood who have grown old in the classroom.

From Project Gutenberg

Savannah suffered least of the fair Atlantic sisterhood, from the blockade.

From Project Gutenberg

The sisterhood, the maidens, flocking round the young waterman, and urging him along the stream of duty and of temperance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alliance
• community
• fellowship
• feminism
• sodality
• solidarity
• union